Means for preserving perishable goods in storage and transit



Dec. 31,1929.

E. VON DER LIPPE-LIPSKI MEANSv FOR PRESERVING PERISHABLE GOODS IN STORAG AND TRANSIT Original Filed Feb. 6, 1926 l AT1-ORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 3l, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BAIN E v01( DER LIPPE-LIPSKI, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MEANS FOB PBESERVING PEBISHABLE GOODS IN STORAGE AND -'.'LRAIIN'SIIT Substitute for application Serial No. 86,507, led February 6, 1926. This application filed July 14, 1928. Serial No. 292,736.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an effective means by which perishable oods in large quantities ma be preserved for a considerable length of time either 5 in a warehouse or in transit from one place to another, the arrangement in the present instance providing for preserving the goods in an economical manner and so that small quantities in containers may be removed without affecting their preservation orthe preservation of the goods remaining in the room or compartment in which they are preserved by the vacuum process.

It is well known that rishable goods may be effectively preserved in); excluding air from the containers in which they are packed, or the vacuum process, and this has been done in a comparatively small way by packing the goods in jars which are placed in a chamber from which the air is drawn to form a practical vacuum in the chamber and jars but my invention contemplates providing means whereby perishable goods in quantities may be packed in large containers and preserved by the vacuum process in such manner as to permit of theremoval of one or more of the containers and the substitution of others containing goods to be preserved, thus accomplishin a material saving in the handling of perisha le goods in quantities over the customary method employing refrigeration.

My improved means for preserving perishable goods in large uantities consists, more particularly, in packing the goods in suitable containers or cans provided with valves through which the air is discharged in forming the vacuum and which will automatically close to retain the vacuum, in some instances placing these containers or cans in a 4 large room or compartment from which the air is pumped or withdrawn to also withdraw the air from the containers through the valves, whereby when the vacuum is destroyed in the room or compartment it will not affect the preservation of the perishable goods in the containers.

In the drawings. forming a part hereof Figure 1 is a sectional view through a room or compartment to show the general application of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view ol one form of container used in carrying out my invention.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of another form of container. A y

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view ofthe preferred form of valve for retaining a vacuum in the container.

This application is substituted for the abandoned ap lication filed by me on February 6, 1926, Ierial No. 86,507. i

In carrying out my invention the room or compartment is preferably of double-wall construction as shown to provide a space between the inner wall l0 and outer wall l1, 65 and of course these walls are strongly built of non-porous material so that a vacuum may be formed within the room or compartment. For access to the room a doorway 12 is provided having a tight fitting door 13 opening out- 70 ward, with a packing 14 around thedoor or between the edge of the door and the jamb 15. Extending into the room or compartment through the double wall thereof is an air pipe 16 with extensions to a suction pump 75 17 by means of which air is expelled from the room or compartment, the size or capacity of the pump depending upon the size or capacity of the compartment, the pipe connections between the compartment and suction pump being provided with a cut-off valve 16al and a vacuum gauge 17", both of any approved type of construction. In some instances the space between the double walls of the compartment will befiled with material serving as a non-conductorof heat, and this is desirable when the room or compartment is formed as Wa vehicle or car used for transporting perishable goods from one place to another so that the contents or goods will not be aiected by climatic conditions during transportation.

.Cansor'containers 18 are used, preferably of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 being of metal or other non-porous material with the walls strong to withstand external air pressure when the goods contained therein are preserved by the vacuum process, the form of container in Fig. 2 having a single wall and that shown in Fig. 3 a double wall, 100

in the body construction, in each instance being provided with a cover 19 between which and the shoulder 18a at the upper edge of the body there is a packing ring 20, said cover being secured in place by any suitable means which will prevent accidental displacement, as the hinged couplings or clamps 21. The cover is provided with a valved opening 02 through which the air is drawn from the t. .itainer, the plug 24 of the valve 23 (Fig. 4) seating inwardly so that it will automatically close by atmospheric pressure after permitting the escape of air from the container in forming the required vacuum therein. It will be noted that the outer end of the valved opening is enlarged and threaded to receive a screw-cap 25 which will protect the valve, and this outer threaded portion of the valved opening is also adapted to receive the threaded nozzle (not shown) of a suction hose that may be applied directly to the container as hereinafter explained. In destroying the vacuum in the container forthe removal of the goods therefrom the screw-cap :25 is removed and the valve manipulated by the stein to unseat it.

The container of double wall construction, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, may be preferred. for in this instance there is not only provided a surrounding space between the walls to receive a non-conductor of heat but the inner wall 26 when perforated, as at 26, will facilitate the expelling of air from the container when the goods are closely packed therein, in which instance the air will be drawn from the lower part of the container through these apertures and space between the walls to the upper part of the container and valved opening in the cover. In some instances it may be desirable to provide the container with horizontal partitions, as shown in Fig. 3, to not only relieve the weight on articles below when the goods are packed solidly but provide also for separating articles of dii'erent kinds that may be placed in the container. the partitions, 28, being prefegably perforated and are supported on lugs In the practice of the invention the particular means for preserving perishable goods may be used in various situations or for different purposes; for instance when employed at a warehouse farmers may have their perishable goods-as fruits, vegetables, poultry, ete-stored for shipment at a time in the future and of course the goods packed and preserved in the containers could he shipped to a consignee at any time by way of ordinary freight or express cars, and when preserved in the containers illustrated in Fig. 3 the space between the walls could be packed with a suitable non-conductor of heat so that the contents will notrfbe readily affected by climatic changes in transit; or instead of having the compartment or room in a Warehouse for preserving the perishable goods in the containers by the vacuum process the vacuum chamber could be in the form of a railroad car to facilitate the preserving of large quantities of perishable goods that are to be shipped to a considerable distance, and in this instance the space between the walls of the car packed with a non-conductor of heat. At any intermediate point of the destination of the car containers could be removed and others substituted Without affecting the other goods contained in the car though the vacuum in the car be destroyed to remove containers, and those substituted could have the vacuum formed therein by hose connection as hereinbefore described.

The shape of the containers could be such as to suit the perishable goods to be stored or transported, as in the form herein shown or in the form of a sealed glass casket for the storage or shipment of dead bodies. Furthermore, the means for preserving perishable goods could be employed in storing and transporting furs to prevent them from being dest royed by moths, etc., in which instance any desired form of special container may be used.

, I claim: I

1. A container for preserving perishable goods by the vacuum process comprising a double-wall body portion with a space between the walls. a removable cover with an interposed packing, and a valved opening extending through the cover.

2. A container for preserving perishable goods by the vacuum process comprising a double wall body portion with a space between the walls filled with a non-conductor of heat, a removable cover with aninterposed packing, and a valved opening extending through the cover.

A container for preserving perishable goods by the vacuum process comprising a double wall body portion with a space between y the walls. the inner wall being perforated for the passage of air between the interior of the container and space between the walls, a removable cover with an interposed packing, and a valved opening extending through the cover.

4. A container for preserving perishable goods by the vacuum process comprising a double wall body portion with a space between the Walls, lugs on the inner Wall of the compartment, and perforated horizontal partitions supported on the lugs; together with a removable cover for the body portion with an interposedpacking, and a valved opening extending through the cover.

5. A container for preserving perishable goods by the vacuum process comprising a double wall body portion with a space between the walls, lugs on the inner wall of the container, and perforated horizontal partitions supported on the lugs; together with a. removab e cover for the body portion with an interposed acking, a valved opening extending throng the cover and threaded at its outer 5 end, p and a protecting cap engaging the 1 threads.-

ELAiNE von m, LI'PPE-'LIPSKL 

